26 Aug 10 Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Makers [Hardcover] chapter summaries
Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Makers [Hardcover] chapter Summaries:
Product Description
With this fourth edition, accountants will acquire a practical set of tools and the confidence they need to use them effectively in making business decisions. It better reflects a more conceptual and decision-making approach to the material. The authors follow a “macro- to micro-” strategy by starting with a discussion of real financial statements first, rather than starting with the Accounting Cycle. The objective is to establish how a financial statement communicates the financing, investing, and operating activities of a business to users of accounting information. This motivates accountants by grounding the discussion in the real world, showing them the relevance of the topics covered to their careers.
Buy ‘Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Makers [Hardcover]‘ online
Tags: Business & Finance
26 Aug 10 The Science of Getting Rich [Paperback] chapter summaries
The Science of Getting Rich [Paperback] chapter Summaries:
Review
“…His is a gentle philosophy which excludes competition and cheating, and encourages cooperation.” — Publishers Weekly
This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Wallace D. Wattles introduced the world to the power of positive thinking. He was a profound influence on Michael Losier and James Arthur Ray. With out Wattles “Science Of” trilogy there never would have been books such as The Secret, The Laws of Attraction, and the Power of Positive Thinking. Now you can go directly to the source with this easy to understand lesson book on attracting wealth.
See all Editorial Reviews
Tags: Business & Finance
26 Aug 10 Auditing & Assurance Services [Paperback] chapter summaries
Auditing & Assurance Services [Paperback] chapter Summaries:
Product Description
The fourth edition of “Auditing & Assurance Services” is the most up-to-date auditing text on the market. All chapters and modules in the fourth edition have been revised to incorporate professional standards through SAS 116, AS7, international standards of auditing (ISAs), and unnumbered standards adopted through July 2009. New terminology from the AICPA’s Clarity Project has been incorporated throughout the book. In addition, all chapters include new problems, Kaplan CPA Review simulations, and comprehensive case questions. Fraud awareness, a thorough understanding of internal controls, and the ability to use technology effectively are the hallmarks of a successful auditor in business today. With “Auditing & Assurance Services, 4th Edition”, students are prepared to take on auditing’s latest challenges. As a leader in fraud coverage, it is accompanied by the Apollo Shoes Case, the only standalone fraud audit case on the market (available online on the book’s OLC). The text is also designed to provide flexibility for instructors; the twelve chapters focus on the auditing process while the eight modules provide additional topics that can be taught at the instructor’s discretion without interrupting the flow of the text.
This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tags: Business & Finance
25 Aug 10 Intermediate Accounting [Hardcover] chapter summaries and review
Intermediate Accounting [Hardcover] chapter Summaries:
Review
Instructor’s Manual, Solutions Manual, Test Bank, Computerized Test Bank IBM 3.5, Test Preparation Service, Solution and Teaching Transparencies, Student Study Guide, Workpapers, Self-Study Problems/Solutions Book, Lotus Problems, Rockford Corporation Computerized Practice Set, PowerPoint Presentations, Instructor’s and Solutions Manual on Disk, Instructor’s Resource System on CD-ROM available. — The publisher, John Wiley & Sons
This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING by Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield is, quite simply, the standard by which all other intermediate accounting texts are measured. Through thirty years and twelve best-selling editions, the text has built a reputation for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and student success. The Thirteenth Edition maintains the qualities for which the text is globally recognized, and continues to be your students’ gateway to the profession! Volume I is comprised of Chapters 1-14. Each study guide chapter is comprised of a detailed chapter review, demonstration problems, true/false, multiple-choice, matching questions, and copmrehensive exercises. Solutions to study guide questions are provided.
This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
Intermediate Accounting [Hardcover] Book Reviews:
This is an excellent book, very well written and comprehensive. However, without an instructor or a complete solutions manual, this book is impossible to use! When are authors and publishers going to learn that a beautifully thoughtout set of exercises is utterly worthless in a quantitative subject like Accounting without the solutions available! I’m presently taking a course from this book, however I would never buy this book for personal use – no answers!
What a dissappointing, unclear and abstract textbook! The chapters ill-prepare and ill-equip the student to solve any of the exercises. In addition, the book provides no key figures or key points for which a student can guide himself. It seems that the motive is to deliberately confuse the student and obfiscate the topics. In using this textbook, you are guaranteed to need supplemental textbooks, workbooks and study guides in order to get an adequate understanding (and how nice… they offer these items for purchase!). I really question the authors’ intent and purpose given their unnecessary obscure approach to the topic. Stay away from this book.
As a recent accounting graduate, and current graduate student, I can tell you that this text is one of the best accounting books I ever read. Intermediate Accounting is a tough, voluminous subject, which is why it takes two semesters to get through it! Keiso and Weygandt do a great job of walking students through the specifics of a topic, along with its history, alternatives, and the profession’s arguments for and against some of the more controversial ones. The problems and cases following the chapters are extremely challenging and thought-provoking; great supplements to the readings and class lectures. If you are an accounting professor, or an accounting student or professional, this book is a fantastic textbook and excellent resource during your career. I will have it in my cubicle at my firm!
Tags: Business & Finance
25 Aug 10 South-Western Federal Taxation 2011: Comprehensive, Professional Version [Hardcover] chapter summaries and review
South-Western Federal Taxation 2011: Comprehensive, Professional Version [Hardcover] chapter Summaries:
Product Description
Packed with “Big Picture” tax scenarios and “What-If?” case variations, SOUTH-WESTERN FEDERAL TAXATION 2011: COMPREHENSIVE VOLUME remains the most effective text for helping you master complex tax concepts and the ever-changing tax legislation. Renowned for its accessible, comprehensive, and time-tested presentation, the text provides thorough coverage of individual taxation, C Corporations, Flow-Through Entities, Family Tax Planning, and more, while highlighting materials of critical interest to the tax practitioner. Preparing you for the long term, SOUTH-WESTERN FEDERAL TAXATION 2011: COMPREHENSIVE VOLUME offers many opportunities to sharpen critical-thinking and writing skills. Internet exercises tied directly to chapter research cases give you hands-on experience using online resources to solve tax issues. H&R Block at Home? tax preparation software excel comes with each new copy of this text. The 2011 edition has been fully updated to include the latest tax legislation.
About the Author
Eugene Willis is the Arthur Andersen Alumni Professor of Accountancy at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He joined the Illinois faculty in 1975 after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He has published articles in leading academic and professional journals, including The Accounting Review, The Journal of the American Taxation Association, The Journal of Accountancy, and The Journal of Taxation. Professor Willis is co-director of the National Tax Education Program, a continuing education program co-sponsored by the American Institute of CPAs and the University of Illinois.
William H. Hoffman, Jr., earned B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Michigan and M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Texas. He is a licensed CPA and attorney in Texas. His teaching experience includes: The University of Texas (1957-1961), Louisiana State University (1961-1967), and the University of Houston (1967-1999). Professor Hoffman has addressed many tax institutes and conferences and has published extensively in academic and professional journals. His articles appear in The Journal of Taxation, The Tax Adviser, Taxes–The Tax Magazine, The Journal of Accountancy, The Accounting Review, and Taxation for Accountants.
David M. Maloney, Ph.D., CPA, is the Carman G. Blough Professor of Accounting at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Richmond and his graduate work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Since joining the Virginia faculty in January 1984, Professor Maloney has taught Federal taxation in the graduate and undergraduate programs, and has received major research grants from the Ernst & Young and KPMG Foundations. In addition, his work has been published in numerous professional journals, including JOURNAL OF TAXATION, THE TAX ADVISER, TAX NOTES, CORPORATE TAXATION, ACCOUNTING HORIZONS, JOURNAL OF TAXATION OF INVESTMENTS, and JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTANCY. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Accounting Association and the American Taxation Association.
William A. Raabe, Ph.D., CPA, teaches graduate tax courses at the Fisher College of Business of The Ohio State University, and at the Capital University (OH) Law School. He is a leader among business school tax faculty in incorporating developments in technology into curricula for the educational development of tax professionals. Dr. Raabe’s teaching and research interests focus on Multijurisdictional taxation and financial planning, and he is recognized as the leader among business school academics in the fields of state and local income, sales, and property taxation. Dr. Raabe is the author or editor of approximately twenty books, including South-Western Federal Taxation, Schedule M-3 Compliance, and the Multistate Corporate Tax Guide. He has received university-wide recognition as the winner of the AMOCO Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, and the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs named him the Educator of the Year.
Buy ‘South-Western Federal Taxation 2011: Comprehensive, Professional Version [Hardcover]‘ online
South-Western Federal Taxation 2011: Comprehensive, Professional Version [Hardcover] Book Reviews:
If I had known that there should have been a CD included in this book as well as a User ID and Password that was only good for a one time use, I would not have purchased this book. The price was high for these items not being included. Now I have to struggle in finding other means of completing my assignments. Now when I want to resell the book, I will get little or nothing for it because these items are missing. I think the seller should have disclosed that they were missing.
() This is the book that I’m using for my Federal Taxation class. I am impressed with the content and the ease of understanding the material. It is very well organized and like the title says, comprehensive. Good choice.
In summary, the book uses unnessarily confusing style, seemingly assumes the reader knows the subject already and does not provide computation formula or details to solve the problems behind the chapters.
“Eater of books” has suggested others to buy buy “Income Tax Fundamentals” by Whittenburg and Altus-Buller instead.
I had a terrible experience with this book.
The author does not use plain English or reader-friendly style to explain the subject. I often found that author’s long sentences unnessarily caused confusion and awkwardness. The book gave me an impression that the author favors long sentence just for the sake of it without consideration of unnessary confusion and awkwardness readers will experience. The explanation in this book was as if the author is expecting readers know the subject already. Sometime the book describes the material in detail while other times not without explaning what kinds of details matter and do not matter. I highly doubt that there is an editor who make sure the book is reader friendly.
Besides the reader-unfriendliness of this book, I found that the questions behind the book ask things not covered in the book. When the questions were covered in the book, they were still most of the time very difficult to answer because of the lack of explanations in the chapters to deal with the details. As I mentioned above, the book seldom explains what types of details matter and do not matter. On top of that, the details mentioned in the book often time have arbitrary link between each other because of the nature of the law. Thus while I was solving problems I found myself guessing a lot, helplessly striving to find meaningful link or pattern that might help me to “guess” right. Instead of reviewing the things covered to make sure I understand them correctly, it seems the questions were designed to make readers learn new things with time-consuming extra research not to mention whether one will find one ever. I remember I had more questions in my head after “solving” the problems with a lot of meaningless guessing than before “solving” them. Instructors should not expect students to solve the questions without an access to the answer manual.
It is a common sense that people buy a course book, instead of doing self-research, to learn new things in an organized way and more time efficient way. I question this book if it has achieved any one of these.
Here is more in-depth reviews from other people I sympathize with.
——————
This books is a disservice to those trying to learn federal income tax. This is a book on tax law, not on how to prepare individual tax returns or to prepare for the CPA exam. In short, save your money and buy “Income Tax Fundamentals” by Whittenburg and Altus-Buller. For comparison, when discussing medical expense deductions, this book splits the dicussion into two chapters seven chapters apart and never states the formula. Income Tax Fundamentals has as the last sentence of the first paragraph “here’s the formula to calculate”.
Also in the South-Western book you will never see a 1040 or any of the supporting schedules because it is about tax LAW. In the Whittenburg book EVERY chapter shows you the forms and explains how to fill them out in detail and how to calculate the amounts because it is a tax ACCOUNTING textbook.
Here’s brief list of issues I had with this book
- It is completely lacking in clarity because it never walks thr reader through how to do the tasks, it provides an illustrative situation, states the amount of tax owed and moves on. There is no step-by-step as to how the answer was derived or how you could do it yourself. This leaves you blindly mixing and matching numbers to try to figure out how to reproduce the result.
- the text frequently makes assertions in the examples that are not supported by the text leading to the example (in some cases, the example can be explained by information several pages later — where the example SHOULD have occured
- it will provide lists of exceptions or rules, but then not explain what they mean. For instance when discussing Hobby Losses, the book states 9 rules to determine whether an activity is a hobby or a business, but doesn’t inform the reader which would apply: “The expertise of the taxpayer” would that make it a hobby or a business? The book doesn’t say. “The expectation that the assets will increase in value” Again, does that make it a hobby or a business?
- When discussing the restrictions on deductions for transactions between related parties, it covers Losses, Unpaid Expenses and Interest and THEN at the end defines what “related parties” means!
- It does next to nothing to inform the student HOW to do much of anything; it simply states what the rules are and moves on
- frequently it uses BUSINESS examples throughout the text instead of individual examples (this has lead to extreme confusion in the class over a test question where students, who had taken taxation of corporations, got the question wrong). Although many individual filers have private businesses, the book provides as an example whether “Blackbird Airlines” a non-private company can deduct the cost of its federally mandated engine tests!
It goes on like this for 800+ pages. It’s unconscionable!
If this text is required in your class, write up a formal complaint to your school (I am documenting the flaws I have found and including page numbers), and during the class review share your thoughts on the text.
This book is a waste of time and trees!
——————-
This is yet another book from Hoffman and South Western publishing on tax LAW, not tax ACCOUNTING. This book is good for advanced coverage of corporate tax accounting, its use as an introduction to corporate tax accounting is a crime. It never tells you how to prepare a tax return, you never are asked to fill out any forms, it never instructs you how to calculate the taxes or provide walkthrough examples of the same.
This is not a taxation of corporations and partnerships 101 book, which is what a lot of colleges seem to be using it for, this is a book on corporate tax LAW for people who already know how to calculate the taxes and fill out the forms (what I need to know and paid to learn). This is 301 material “Advanced corporate tax accounting theory”.
Here’s a “problem” assigned to me from the book. “locate the following tax services in your library and indicate the name of the publisher and whether the service is organized by topic or by Code Section”. No, I will not waste my time this way. This teaches me nothing about how to calculate the taxes and fill out the forms.
When you do get to problems that ask you to calculate the taxes you’ll be dumbfounded since there is no place in the book that walks you through how to actually do it. Rather you have to surmise how it might be done from examples. So instead of building your skills, you spend most of your time mixing and matching numbers to try to find out how they were combined in the example to arrive at the answer and then applying that haphazard approach to your homework.
——————
I had to buy this text book for a college taxation class. Initially I thought this book was ok. But, then I tried actually reading it and realized this book wasn’t written with too much care in terms of presenting information in a logical sequence or in an understandable way.
I often would have to go to websites to get the kind of understandable explanation that this book should have given. Its written in a really choppy style and often is too vague or general without fully explaning things.
This book needs some serious editing for readability, but then again text book companies don’t generally care about making the content easily digestable. Teh just want to make sure the author has a Phd.
This book was great, if you like reading books the seem to have been written by robots.
I would definitely not buy this book unless it is required for a class. If you just want to understand the US tax code and how to file your taxes definitely look elsewhere. IRS publications are way more helpful and also are free.
Tags: Business & Finance
25 Aug 10 Basic Economics 4th Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy [Hardcover] chapter summaries and review
Basic Economics 4th Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy [Hardcover] chapter Summaries:
Product Description
The fourth edition of Basic Economics is both expanded and updated. A new chapter on the history of economics itself has been added, and the implications of that history examined. A new section on the special role of corporations in the economy has been added to the chapter on government and big business, among other additions throughout the book. Basic Economics, which has now been translated into six foreign languages, has grown so much that a large of amount of material in the back of the book in previous editions has now been put on-line instead, so that the book itself and its price will not have to expand. The central idea of Basic Economics, however remains the same: that the fundamental facts and principles of economics do not require jargon, graphs or equations, and can be learned in a relaxed and even enjoyable way.
About the Author
Thomas Sowell has taught economics at Cornell, UCLA, Amherst and other academic institutions, and his Basic Economics has been translated into six languages. He is currently a scholar in residence at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He has published in both academic journals in such popular media as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes magazine and Fortune, and writes a syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country.
Buy ‘Basic Economics 4th Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy [Hardcover]‘ online
Basic Economics 4th Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy [Hardcover] Book Reviews:
Tags: Business & Finance
25 Aug 10 Information Technology Project Management [Paperback] chapter summaries and review
Information Technology Project Management [Paperback] chapter Summaries:
Review
Ray Guidone, “I feel the author has done a good job of keeping the text simple and well directed.”
This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Each and every recent innovation in Information Technology can be traced back to a project: the behind-the-scenes work that, when correctly managed, results in a new system, a new technology, or a new product in the marketplace. Information Technology Project Management by Kathy Schwalbe builds an unparalleled foundation for tomorrow’s creators and managers by providing meaningful examples of real projects—both successful and failed—and applying the lessons they teach to a sound framework in IT project management.
See all Editorial Reviews
Buy ‘Information Technology Project Management [Paperback]‘ online
Information Technology Project Management [Paperback] Book Reviews:
As one can guess from the price, this book is geared to be used as a text book in a University setting. But almost anyone will find this book extremely useful because the book occupies a unique niche in the market on Project Management books. There are several project management books out in the market that mostly fall into the following categories – General Project Management, Advanced Project Management, PMP Exam Preparation, and PM Software books. The problem I have had with these books is that there are very few that address IT Project Management and even fewer that use Case Studies throughout. I am in IT Project Management and absolutely require Case Studies to learn any subject thoroughly. Especially a practical subject like Project Management.This book is perfect for an IT Project Manager because it – covers basic project principles, incorporates the IT view on every topic, has plenty of exercises to prepare for a PM exam (like the PMP or CompTIA’s ITProject+), has a very decent section on using Microsoft Project 2000, a 120 day trial version of MS Project 2000 software in case you don’t have it, plenty of mini case studies, a real-world running case study of the Northwest Airlines’ ResNet project, and an excellent reference list at the end of each chapter. It is clear that the book was aimed at being the perfect reference for any IT Project Manager. The only downside of this book is that it is very light on all the topics and does not address any advanced topics. But that would have doubled the number of pages in the book and potential been a turn-off to anyone new to the subject. It might not have appealed to an Intermediate level Project Manager either. So I don’t feel that this is such a big downside and is actually a positive.After obtaining my PMP, I came across this book when I was given the opportunity to teach Project Management Part-Time on a need basis at the Austin Community College. They use this book as the required text book for their comprehensive IT Project Management class aimed at those new to the field or those looking to gain a deeper knowledge of IT Project Management. I am glad I received a free copy of this book as I would have normally passed it up as too basic a book (since I already have my PMP). But I now realize that I will benefit tremendously by doing all the exercises in the book and strengthen/deepen my understanding of several Project Management concepts. So my immediate future is going to involve devouring this book.I hope you too benefit from this book and enjoy using it for any one of the many purposes!
This book is a truly valuable resource if you meet all of the following criteria: (1) you are either a Project Management Professional (PMP), which is a certification bestowed by the Project Management Institute to individuals who meet rigorous screening qualifications for education and experience and successfully pass a comprehensive examination based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), or are seeking the PMP certification, and (2) you or your organization primarily uses Microsoft Project.For those PMPs and PMP candidates who use other tools this book will still be valuable, but not to the degree it is for the first group.The book’s key strengths are: it completely adheres to the PMBOK, takes a teaching approach, and starts with a case study that is used and expanded as each of the nine PMBOK process areas are introduced and explained. This is a powerful approach to teaching because the PMBOK process areas are introduced in sequence and the exercises at the end of each chapter reinforces the material presented in that chapter. For Microsoft Project users this book also teaches some advanced techniques with that package, and does so in a manner that is wholly consistent with the PMBOK. Moreover, it takes into account the unique challenges imposed by IS projects. As an added bonus the accompanying CD ROM comes with a copy of Microsoft Project 2000 that is fully functional for a 120-day trial period (Appendix A also is a quick guide to this software).Weaknesses: Many IS shops have development methodologies, such as the Rational Unified Process, in place. Although most methodologies, including the Rational Unified Process, can be aligned to the PMBOK this book does not address how to do this in any detail. Another issue is IS in most of the larger enterprises, especially those with mature project management practices in place, use ABT Project Workbench, which is an enterprise-strength project management tool. This diminishes the value of this book to readers who are used to the more sophisticated features of tools designed for the enterprise. This book is an exceptionally well written and designed tool for teaching the PMBOK within the context of IS projects. If you fall into the primary audience I described above this is a "must-have" book.
I agree with most of the reviews in general. I have been using this book as a textbook for a class on Project Management. I enjoy reading the chapters and it gives you a good overview of Project Management and the terms used in it but, that is my issue, it’s an overview. I like reading the case studies but frankly I think the assignments at the end of each chapter have many that ask for more detail then the overview content of the book gives. I find this to be an issue with many textbooks. They write the book concisely to cover a whole topic in one textbook hitting the highlights, but write the assignments to be done as if you had been studying the subject in depth.
Case in point: Chapter 11 Exercise 5 on page 357. Draft an RFP (Request for Proposal) for purchasing laptops for all students, faculty and staff at your college or university. use the outline provided in Figure 11-4. List all the assumptions you made in preparing the RFP.
Sounds like a great assignment, with the exception that an RFP is a very detailed document. In the outline it is also suppose to include a Statement of Work ( a document that should be prepared before an RFP) and schedule information. To do this assignment you basically have to dream up an entire project and do previous prep work in order to write an RFP. Also, this outline is the only example of an RFP in the whole book. There is no example of a completed RFP, after all, this is an "overview" book. I have been researching on the net for sample RFP documents. I have yet to find one that even remotely looks like this outline or follows the criteria in this book.
I spend hours and hours every week just doing the prep work to get my head around this random assignments.
This book would have been better had it just made the assignments a case study that built from Chapter 1 on, instead of bits and pieces of this kind of project or that. I think I read in the main review that the book uses NWA as a case study to teach, that doesnt even happen till like Chapter 12 or 13. Did this person really read this book??
I don’t mind being taught principles of Project Management but don’t just hand me terms and principles and sketchy outline examples and expect me to give you the full blown details of a project that I have to make up mostly out of my own head and hope it’s right. Projects are team efforts and some of these things asked for would be the product of a whole team’s input not just one person yet in assignments it is just the student doing it all as if they were the whole freaking team. This kind of thing annoys me to no end in textbooks.
I could give more examples but I am already a partially dissenting voice among reviewers. I guess I could sum it up as a good book to have and read but it is a LOUSY TEXTBOOK.
Tags: Business & Finance
24 Aug 10 Information Technology Project Management, Second Edition [Paperback] chapter summaries and review
Information Technology Project Management, Second Edition [Paperback] chapter Summaries:
Review
Ray Guidone, “I feel the author has done a good job of keeping the text simple and well directed.”
This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Each and every recent innovation in Information Technology can be traced back to a project: the behind-the-scenes work that, when correctly managed, results in a new system, a new technology, or a new product in the marketplace. This text builds an unparalleled foundation for tomorrow’s creators and managers by providing meaningful examples of real projects—both successful and failed—and applying the lessons they teach to a sound framework in IT project management. * Applies the widely-accepted PMBOK set of standards (Project Management Body of Knowledge) to the changing field of IT. * Includes a 120-day trial version of Microsoft Project 2000 and appendix, “A Guide to Microsoft Project 2000″. * Features an extensive running case that puts skills into practice using real-world data from the files of Northwest Airlines. * End-of-chapter mini cases provide extra real-world reinforcement. * Offers complete preparation for CompTIA’s IT Project + Certification Exam.
See all Editorial Reviews
Buy ‘Information Technology Project Management, Second Edition [Paperback]‘ online
Information Technology Project Management, Second Edition [Paperback] Book Reviews:
As one can guess from the price, this book is geared to be used as a text book in a University setting. But almost anyone will find this book extremely useful because the book occupies a unique niche in the market on Project Management books. There are several project management books out in the market that mostly fall into the following categories – General Project Management, Advanced Project Management, PMP Exam Preparation, and PM Software books. The problem I have had with these books is that there are very few that address IT Project Management and even fewer that use Case Studies throughout. I am in IT Project Management and absolutely require Case Studies to learn any subject thoroughly. Especially a practical subject like Project Management.This book is perfect for an IT Project Manager because it – covers basic project principles, incorporates the IT view on every topic, has plenty of exercises to prepare for a PM exam (like the PMP or CompTIA’s ITProject+), has a very decent section on using Microsoft Project 2000, a 120 day trial version of MS Project 2000 software in case you don’t have it, plenty of mini case studies, a real-world running case study of the Northwest Airlines’ ResNet project, and an excellent reference list at the end of each chapter. It is clear that the book was aimed at being the perfect reference for any IT Project Manager. The only downside of this book is that it is very light on all the topics and does not address any advanced topics. But that would have doubled the number of pages in the book and potential been a turn-off to anyone new to the subject. It might not have appealed to an Intermediate level Project Manager either. So I don’t feel that this is such a big downside and is actually a positive.After obtaining my PMP, I came across this book when I was given the opportunity to teach Project Management Part-Time on a need basis at the Austin Community College. They use this book as the required text book for their comprehensive IT Project Management class aimed at those new to the field or those looking to gain a deeper knowledge of IT Project Management. I am glad I received a free copy of this book as I would have normally passed it up as too basic a book (since I already have my PMP). But I now realize that I will benefit tremendously by doing all the exercises in the book and strengthen/deepen my understanding of several Project Management concepts. So my immediate future is going to involve devouring this book.I hope you too benefit from this book and enjoy using it for any one of the many purposes!
This book is a truly valuable resource if you meet all of the following criteria: (1) you are either a Project Management Professional (PMP), which is a certification bestowed by the Project Management Institute to individuals who meet rigorous screening qualifications for education and experience and successfully pass a comprehensive examination based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), or are seeking the PMP certification, and (2) you or your organization primarily uses Microsoft Project.For those PMPs and PMP candidates who use other tools this book will still be valuable, but not to the degree it is for the first group.The book’s key strengths are: it completely adheres to the PMBOK, takes a teaching approach, and starts with a case study that is used and expanded as each of the nine PMBOK process areas are introduced and explained. This is a powerful approach to teaching because the PMBOK process areas are introduced in sequence and the exercises at the end of each chapter reinforces the material presented in that chapter. For Microsoft Project users this book also teaches some advanced techniques with that package, and does so in a manner that is wholly consistent with the PMBOK. Moreover, it takes into account the unique challenges imposed by IS projects. As an added bonus the accompanying CD ROM comes with a copy of Microsoft Project 2000 that is fully functional for a 120-day trial period (Appendix A also is a quick guide to this software).Weaknesses: Many IS shops have development methodologies, such as the Rational Unified Process, in place. Although most methodologies, including the Rational Unified Process, can be aligned to the PMBOK this book does not address how to do this in any detail. Another issue is IS in most of the larger enterprises, especially those with mature project management practices in place, use ABT Project Workbench, which is an enterprise-strength project management tool. This diminishes the value of this book to readers who are used to the more sophisticated features of tools designed for the enterprise. This book is an exceptionally well written and designed tool for teaching the PMBOK within the context of IS projects. If you fall into the primary audience I described above this is a "must-have" book.
I agree with most of the reviews in general. I have been using this book as a textbook for a class on Project Management. I enjoy reading the chapters and it gives you a good overview of Project Management and the terms used in it but, that is my issue, it’s an overview. I like reading the case studies but frankly I think the assignments at the end of each chapter have many that ask for more detail then the overview content of the book gives. I find this to be an issue with many textbooks. They write the book concisely to cover a whole topic in one textbook hitting the highlights, but write the assignments to be done as if you had been studying the subject in depth.
Case in point: Chapter 11 Exercise 5 on page 357. Draft an RFP (Request for Proposal) for purchasing laptops for all students, faculty and staff at your college or university. use the outline provided in Figure 11-4. List all the assumptions you made in preparing the RFP.
Sounds like a great assignment, with the exception that an RFP is a very detailed document. In the outline it is also suppose to include a Statement of Work ( a document that should be prepared before an RFP) and schedule information. To do this assignment you basically have to dream up an entire project and do previous prep work in order to write an RFP. Also, this outline is the only example of an RFP in the whole book. There is no example of a completed RFP, after all, this is an "overview" book. I have been researching on the net for sample RFP documents. I have yet to find one that even remotely looks like this outline or follows the criteria in this book.
I spend hours and hours every week just doing the prep work to get my head around this random assignments.
This book would have been better had it just made the assignments a case study that built from Chapter 1 on, instead of bits and pieces of this kind of project or that. I think I read in the main review that the book uses NWA as a case study to teach, that doesnt even happen till like Chapter 12 or 13. Did this person really read this book??
I don’t mind being taught principles of Project Management but don’t just hand me terms and principles and sketchy outline examples and expect me to give you the full blown details of a project that I have to make up mostly out of my own head and hope it’s right. Projects are team efforts and some of these things asked for would be the product of a whole team’s input not just one person yet in assignments it is just the student doing it all as if they were the whole freaking team. This kind of thing annoys me to no end in textbooks.
I could give more examples but I am already a partially dissenting voice among reviewers. I guess I could sum it up as a good book to have and read but it is a LOUSY TEXTBOOK.
Tags: Business & Finance
